You know a company is getting big when even Wal-Mart is afraid of it.
Well, “afraid” may be a little dramatic, but the company is concerned.
An article in the NY Times this weekend called “Just Googling It Is Striking Fear Into Companies” takes a look at the reasons why America’s biggest retailer is keeping an eye on the threat the search engine may eventually pose to its business.
The primary worry has to do with the increased availability of information, one of Google’s core missions. If Google makes it easy for shoppers to learn about better bargains within close proximity, shoppers may begin to bypass Wal-Mart and spend their dollars at a competing store.
Author Steve Lohr goes on to point out that it’s not just Wal-Mart that’s wary of Google:
“Google’s recent moves have stirred concern in industries from book publishing to telecommunications. Businesses already feeling the Google effect include advertising, software and the news media. Apart from retailing, Google’s disruptive presence may soon be felt in real estate and auto sales.”
Read the rest here.
By the way, there’s a new Wal-Mart movie out and it looks pretty cool, if not incendiary. Visit the official movie site.
